This is Dillon and Rhette, two cats that the author,
Lorie Huston, adopted as adults.
This week, our spotlight focuses on the Paws and Effect blog with a great post (and video) detailing the benefits of adopting an adult cat instead of a kitten. I have to agree wholeheartedly with Thomas and his human mother on this subject. Over the years, I have adopted numerous cats, some of them as kittens and some of them as adults. I’ve never regretted adopting any of them.
In a shelter situation, it is often easy to place kittens. After all, who can resist a cute, cuddly kitten! However, all too often, the adult cats are overlooked in favor of the kittens. When you adopt an adult cat, more often than not, you will also be saving that cat’s life. In return, you’ll be rewarded with a loving companion that will remember your kindness for the rest of his/her life.
Adopting an Adult Cat is an Extremely Satisfying Decision
The cats pictured in the photo are Dillon (the black and white cat) and Rhette (the tabby). Dillon and Rhette were both adults when they came to live with me. Though Dillon was a young adult, probably about a year old, Rhette was fully mature, probably at least 2-3 years of age. Dillon and Rhette have both been with me now for over a year.
Dillon’s Story: A Young Adult Feline Adoptee
Dillon was found outside of the hospital where I work. When we arrived to work one morning, we found a cardboard box with a couple of cans of cat food in the box. The box was otherwise empty and there was no cat in sight. The following day, a fellow staff member mentioned hearing a cat crying but was unable to find the cat. Upon further investigation, we finally located a very frightened and extremely hungry black and white cat hiding behind our main building.
At first, Dillon was unsure of us and, even with food as an enticement, we weren’t able to approach him. However, after I sat and spoke softly to him for a few moments, he eventually summoned enough courage to approach and investigate my outstretched hand. It took Dillon about 2 seconds after that to realize that we were friends and were not going to hurt him. After that, he rubbed his head on my hand and began to purr. He then spotted another coworker behind me, ran to her and repeated the rubbing and purring. For a few moments, he went back and forth between the three of us who were in the area and was obviously quite grateful to have found someone to care for him.
By the following day, Dillon had been neutered, tested for feline leukemia and feline AIDS (he was negative, thankfully), vaccinated, and was on his way home with me to meet the rest of our feline family. He has been a loving and gentle cat since the day he set foot in the house and gets along well with all of the other cats.
Rhette’s Story: Another Adult Cat Adoption
Rhette has a similar but slightly different story to tell. I was working in the hospital one evening with several other staff members. We had just finished taking care of a puppy and he and his owner were on their way to their car. We were somewhat surprised when the puppy’s owner returned a few moments later carrying a cat carrier.
The puppy’s owner approached the front desk with the carrier and said, a bit uncertainly, “I think someone forgot something!” She went on to explain that she had found the carrier sitting next to her car but there was no one else around…no sign of the owner of the cat in the carrier. Inside of the carrier was Rhette.
Rhette didn’t seem particularly upset or scared. He basically just took everything in stride. He was friendly toward all of us and seemed to have a reasonably outgoing personality. He proved to be healthy, although a bit overweight. His feline leukemia and feline AIDS tests were negative. So, as with Dillon, following Rhette’s neuter the following day, he came home with me.
Rhette’s personality is a bit different than Dillon’s. He is a demanding cat, particularly when it comes to food and is not afraid to vocalize his demands when he wants something.
Initially, Rhette was unhappy about sharing his new home with his new feline brothers and sisters. He would even lie in front of the food dish and guard it from the other cats, leading to the creation of additional feeding and watering stations throughout the house. However, after a few days, he started to become more tolerant of the other cats and eventually became quite friendly with them. Toward me, he has always been loving and affectionate, a true “lap cat”.
So, if you’re thinking about adopting a new cat, do yourself a favor and don’t look only at the kittens being offered for adoption. An adult cat can make a great pet. The same can be said of an adult dog!
Tell Us About Your Adult Dog or Cat Adoption
Have you adopted an adult dog or cat? If so, please share your story with us. Tell us how you came to adopt your pet and how the adoption has worked out for you by leaving a comment below.
And don’t forget to take a look at some of the other blogs in the Pet Lover’s Blog Hop. There are many other great blogs on the list.
http://www.paws-and-effect.com/2010/06/19/save-a-life-and-find-a-lifelong-loving-companion/
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